Store round bales standing

The plastic film for silage/haylage bales is a stretch film which becomes a bit sticky when it is stretched, this makes the plastic layers glue together and the bale becomes more air tight. When the bale is standing upright the plastic layers lie vertical and the pressure from the bale content stretches the plastic so the plastic layers continue to be sticky and the bale remains air tight.

If the bale is lying down on the side the plastic layers lie horizontal and the pressure from the bale content cannot stretch the plastic as good as when the bale is standing. This can result in reduced air tightness of the bale and air will more easily leak into the bale. When really unlucky, and in combination with low bale density, rainwater can get in between the plastic layers on bales stored lying down.

So to ensure air tight bales and prevent bad hygienic quality – store the round bales standing!

Sara Muhonen, AgrD

Reference:
Lingvall P. 1995. Balhandboken pp. 52. ISBN91-630-3698-3 (in Swedish)